António Mateus

The Beja Layered Gabbroic Sequence (Ossa-Morena Zone, Southern Portugal): geochronology and geodynamic implications

The Beja Igneous Complex (BIC) is a major geological feature in SW Iberian Variscides, consisting of three main units developed during different stages of the oblique collision between the Ossa Morena Zone (OMZ) upper plate and South Portuguese Zone (SPZ) lower plate, namely: (1) ca. 355 Ma to ca. 345 Ma Layered Gabbroic Sequence formed in early stages of collision magmatism; (2) the ca. 335-330 Ma to ca. 320 Ma Cuba-Alvito (gabbro-diorite) Complex formed throughout the late-collision magmatic event; and (3) the Baleizão Porphyry Complex corresponding to the period of post-collision magmatism, ca. 300 Ma. The new SHRIMP U-Pb age of 342±9 Ma reported here for amphibole-bearing pegmatite dykes cutting the layered gabbros is interpreted as dating the development of late fluid-rich melts in the Layered Gabbroic Sequence, synchronous with Fe-Cu-Co sulphide deposition. The close agreement between this data and available amphibole 40Ar/39Ar ages of BIC, Beja-Acebuches Ophiolite and other geological units of the OMZ southern border, may be taken as evidence for a moderate to rapid regional crustal uplift episode at ca. 340±5 Ma; this data, coupled with structural constraints, also allow to estimate the age for the transition between the D2a – D2b deformation phases of Variscan continental collision. A complex wedge system within the SW Iberian Variscides developed during this collision, involving the OMZ upper plate to the north and the SPZ passive margin in the lower plate. The Évora-Beja-Aracena Domain, located in the upper plate above the N-dipping subduction zone, is re-interpreted as a retro-wedge domain that was kinematically coupled to the SPZ pro-wedge and subduction system. Retro-wedge growth is linked to upper plate uplift (early collision) and a late-orogenic wedge thickening. The early stages of magmatism in the retro-wedge are related to asthenospheric mantle upwelling induced by the slab break-off. Regional LP-HT metamorphism and subsequent magmatic events in the retro-wedge domain were caused by long term high heat flow sustained by (1) mafic magma underplating, (2) stacking of high-heat producing upper-crustal lithologies, and reinforced (3) by (moderate to) rapid crustal uplifting. Mass advection and orogenic architecture were strongly affected by asymmetric removal towards the lower-part foreland basin and by transient mechanical properties of the wedge system associated with the anomalous thermal regime.

Are some of the deep crustal conductive features found in SW Iberia caused by graphite

Abstract Recent results obtained from two-dimensional inversion of magnetotelluric (MT) data acquired in SW Iberia reveal high-conductive features at the middle–lower levels of the crust. The top of these anomalous structures correlates very well with the depth (10–13 km) of an important seismic interface that has been interpreted as a regional detachment horizon. Very shallow and relatively narrow conductors in the Ossa Morena Zone appear to correspond to small-scale fluid-deposited graphite systems in the preorogenic metasedimentary sequences. Some of the midcrustal conductors can be ascribed to graphite-bearing thrust zones, the formation of graphite with variable crystallinity being a consequence of Variscan shearing processes. Deep-seated conductors are tentatively interpreted as a result of relatively continuous, highly crystalline grain-boundary graphite films presumably preserved in basement, granulite(?) rocks. Assuming that graphite occurs as interconnected films, calculations indicate that a fraction of 0.006–0.02% of this accessory mineral is enough to explain the range of the electrical resistivity estimated on the basis of MT models. The role of graphite on the thermal behaviour of the crust is also discussed. The results show that low contents of graphite do not significantly change the thermal behaviour of earth materials.

The Late-Variscan fault network in central–northern Portugal (NW Iberia): a re-evaluation

Abstract The fault network in central–northern Portugal, especially the fault system with mean strike N25°, has been used to help deduce the late Palaeozoic dynamics of Western Europe. On the other hand, the N80° strike–slip fault system was recognized in previous works as Late-Variscan and left lateral, but was scarcely mapped and its importance neglected. This study shows that the N25° faults were dextral in the late stages of the Variscan Orogeny and sinistral during the Alpine Cycle due to pervasive reactivation. Fault rocks and intrusions are clearly different, according to age: mostly high temperature quartz infillings, but locally muscovite, tourmaline, and aplite dykes in Late-Variscan times, and low temperature cataclasites, fault gouges and Mesozoic mafic dykes in younger Alpine times. We dated dextral N45° segments of the N25° fault system because they are less prone to reactivation by the NNW–SSE Alpine compression, and can thus preserve the Variscan record. We used K–Ar in muscovite concentrates and obtained a minimum age of the analysed faults of ca. 312 Ma, which sets a lower limit to the so-called Late-Variscan wrench-faulting period. The present study shows that the N80° fault set is pervasive and sinistral in central–northern Portugal, and therefore, that it only admits one brittle dextral conjugate, the N25° fault system. Both were generated by a maximum compressive stress bearing between N50° and N55° in azimuth. We did not find evidence of a Variscan sinistral strike–slip movement in the N25° fault system, and therefore, this kinematics is believed to represent only the displacements accommodated during the Alpine Cycle.

Geodynamic evolution of the South Variscan Iberian Suture as recorded by mineral transformations

New structural, petrographic, mineralogical and geochemical data from the Beja-Acebuches Ophiolite Complex (BAOC) are presented, and reviewed together with data published elsewhere. The new data obtained shed light on questions such as: 1) the relative importance of the obduction event; 2) its geological record in the deep levels of BAOC; 3) the nature and intensity of the Variscan metamorphism and deformation during subsequent continental (arc) collision; 4) the age relationships between BAOC and the Beja Igneous Complex; and 5) by means of numerical modelling, the thermal metamorphism of the Ossa-Morena autochthonous terranes induced by the ophiolite obduction. The emerging picture is that of a fairly simple overall geological evolution for BAOC, seamlessly integrated within the evolution of the southern branch of the Iberian Variscides. Obduction of BAOC is a relatively minor early event in the general NE–SW convergence that gave rise to the orogen as seen regionally and is recorded by an anisotropic, high-temperature, metamorphic fabric at the gabbro levels and by subtle features of the chemical composition of primary minerals at the underlying peridotite level; it caused chilling of the obducted ophiolitic slab and no significant metamorphism on the autochtonous rocks of the Ossa-Morena Zone. BAOC underwent most of its deformation and (amphibolite facies) metamorphism during a later collisional event, that took place as the most primitive rocks of the Beja Igneous complex were being intruded, and whose waning stages are responsible for extensive serpentinisation of peridotites and for important aquocarbonic fluid discharges along the semibrittle–brittle shear zones meanwhile developed.

Roman and modern slag at S. Domingos mine (IPB, Portugal): compositional features and implications for their long-term stability and potential reuse

S. Domingos ores have been exploited for Cu and S from antiquity to 1966. Slag is composed of Fe-, Ca-, Zn- and Pb-rich silicate glass, fayalite, hedenbergite, Fe-spinel, and blebs of Fe-, Cu-, Zn- (and Pb-)sulphides, minor sulphosalts and Cu-Zn-Pb-iss with evidence for low-T exsolution and reactions. Silicates and oxides often crystallised far from equilibrium out of undercooled melts. Weathering leads to Fe-(hydro)oxide + digenite ±Fe-, Cu- and Pb-sulphate, Ca, Zn and Pb loss from glass and acid drainage. The slag is an excellent aggregate raw material but its chemical instability calls for preliminary processing, which might lead to economic metal recovery.

Nature and mechanism of ilmenite alteration: a Mössbauer and X-ray diffraction study of oxidized ilmenite from the Beja-Acebuches Ophiolite Complex(SE Portugal)

Abstract Ilmenites from the least-altered rocks of the Beja-Acebuches Ophiolite Complex (SE Portugal), with low Ti values and excess Fe, despite rare optical evidence of hematite exsolution, were studied by 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. According to single-crystal XRD the sequence of alternate layers characteristic of the ideal ilmenite structure is preserved, the excess Fe being accommodated in the Ti layers. No superparamagnetic oxides were detected by 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy. The typical spectra of bulk αFe2O3 and of Fe3+-containing ilmenite, in the paramagnetic state above 49 K and magnetically ordered at 6 K, are observed. The average degree of oxidation of the ilmenites, estimated from the chemical analysis assuming ideally stoichiometric full cation site occupancies, is also confirmed by 57Fe Mössbauer data. Since our crystal chemistry study gave no evidence of crypto-exsolution textures within the ilmenite with the observed compositions, fast cooling from magmatic temperatures and decomposition of ilmenite in supergene conditions is suggested.

Magnetotelluric study of a plio-quaternary tectonic depression: / the Vilarica basin NE Portugal

The Vilarica basin, located northeast Portugal astride a major late-Variscan NNE-SSW reactivated strike-slip fault, is an excellent example of interplate neotectonic activity whose development has been mainly interpreted as a result of left-lateral displacement. Thirty magnetotelluric soundings were carried out in the Sta Comba da VilaricarSampaio region northern of . the tectonic basin in order to investigate the internal structure of the basin and its relationship with the main tectonic faults. Distortions of the impedance tensors were studied using Groom-Bailey decomposition technique. The predominant regional . strike N26E is in good accordance with exposed geology and can be explained for the reactivation of previous structures. Using two-dimensional inversion, three resistivity cross sections were obtained at north, center and south of the studied area. . The graben is revealed as a low resistivity 20-100 V m structure due to the sedimentary filling. The increasing electrical . resistivity from 400 to 4000 V m at depths greater than 2 km is related to the Hesperian basement rocks. The main faults, which controlled the formation and evolution of the basin, are revealed by resistivity gradients within the upper crust. q 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Usefulness of systematic in situ gamma-ray surveys in the radiometric characterization of natural systems with poorly contrasting geological features (examples from NE of Portugal)

This paper focuses on the starting point of various studies that are being carried out in two possible locations being considered to host a hypothetical site for a repository for low and intermediate level radioactive waste (LILW) produced in Portugal in compliance with international requirements on the long-term safety of this kind of repository. Previous studies concerning the geology of the much larger geographical areas where these locations are included were fundamental in the choice of these locations and for the design of the survey strategy. One of the fundamental assessment studies during the site-selection is the overall radiological characterization of the locations and its relation to the geology. This paper pretends to show the adequability of using a fast and reasonably inexpensive survey technique such as in situ gamma-ray portable detectors, to access the radiometric response of the systems in study by providing the radiometric mapping of the areas. The existence of adequate radiometric maps represents a critical pre-requisite to constrain both the number and spatial distribution of samples to be collected for further analysis, sustaining as well the subsequent extrapolation of results needed to fully characterise the surveyed system. Both areas were surveyed using portable gamma-ray spectrometers with NaI(Tl) detectors. In situ gamma-ray measurements have clearly shown not only the poorly contrasting geological features, but also their differences representing: (i) a deformed/metamorphosed ophiolite complex and (ii) a monotonous meta-sedimentary sequence. The radiometric maps obtained have show heterogeneities that reflect mostly changes in rock-forming mineral assemblages, even in the presence of small variations of gamma radiation. These maps support objective criteria about the number/distribution of samples to be collected for subsequent comprehensive studies and reinforce the valuable contribution of in situ gamma spectrometry to assess, in radiological terms, the prevalent geological features.

Three-dimensional magnetotelluric modelling of the Vilariça depression (NE Portugal)

Abstract The Vilarica depression is located astride the northern branch of a Late Variscan (NNE–SSW) left-handed strike–slip fault known as the Vilarica Fault Zone (NE Portugal), whose reactivation in Pliocene–Quaternary times is well documented. The magnetotelluric method was applied in order to evaluate the electrical structure of the northern part of this tectonic depression. Thirty magnetotelluric soundings were carried out and a three-dimensional model was constructed. Different segments of the Vilarica Fault Zone, as well as the earlier Variscan thrusts preserved in the studied area, are well displayed in the model. Low-resistivity (30–200 Ω m) structures were revealed in the central part of the depression up to a depth of 1 km. These shallow conductors are mainly associated with the sedimentary infillings of the basin and are bordered and/or interrupted by strongly weathered and fractured blocks of metasediments displaying variable electrical resistivity. Deeper domains show a relatively homogeneous high resistivity (3500 Ω m), being difficult to distinguish the nonfractured and nonweathered metamorphosed autochthonous metasediments (at depths above 2 km) from the gneissic basement. A conductive layer (500 Ω m) was detected at a depth ranging from 8 to 12 km; this feature is tentatively associated with an important crustal detachment that may correspond to the root domain of the major active strike–slip faults in NW Iberia.

Initial stages of pollutants dispersion around municipal waste disposal facilities: a case study in Northern Portugal

The combined use of several geological, geochemical and geophysical observations during six years enabled the detection of a very faint halo of chemical contamination induced by the operation of a young waste disposal facility in Northern Portugal. The halo does not classify as pollution by any standards, but is observed to be intensifying and thus signals a potential hazardous situation in future years. The approach used shows that a comprehensive and diverse monitoring programme, although relatively inexpensive and easy to carry out, may detect concealed leaks long before any environmental concern is justified, and thus may help avert future complex remediation needs caused by the uncontrolled growth of undetected underground pollution plumes.